Supporting the Wildlife Trusts

CAR Gardens have an ambition to succeed as a business whilst reducing its impact on the natural environment. After all, the natural environment is fundamental to the sustainability of a gardening business! So to be part of the solution of a changing planet we have promised to donate 2.5% of our annual net profits to environment based charities. This year our largest donation will be with the Wildlife trusts.

This was a Press Release by the HWT partially taken up by the County Press on Friday 4th April 2008.

Giving Wildlife a Helping Hand

“The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is inviting local businesses on the Island to support its work in the conservation of local wildlife and habitats by joining the Trust as a ‘Wildlife Investor’.

The first Island business to become a Wildlife Investor is CARGardens, an ethical and organic based landscape and garden maintenance business, based in Ryde.

Craig Ratcliff, the proprietor, and his staff, are passionate about their work and see membership of the Wildlife Trust as a significant benefit.

He says, “I’m delighted to be able to support the Wildlife Trust as a Wildlife Investor. CAR Gardens will always seek to enrich our customers’ environment through both good design and responsible horticulture. We believe that having a beautiful garden must go hand in hand with caring for our environment for us and our future generations.”

It’s this philosophy that fits so well with the aims of the Wildlife Trust. Gardening for Wildlife is a big activity supported by the Trust, and Craig comments,” Designing an area of your garden to include plants and habitats that will attract beneficial insects, birds and small mammals can be very rewarding; and it doesn’t have to look scruffy!

The range and combinations of plants in today’s gardens can provide a real haven for our native wildlife.”

Trudy Gough, Fund raising Officer at the Wildlife Trust added,”We are delighted to have Craig and CARGardens as our first Wildlife Investor on the Island. Becoming a Wildlife Investor is an effective way in which you can demonstrate to your staff, customers, suppliers and the public that your company is taking a real interest in local wildlife and the environment. In return we hope that we can help you and your staff to enjoy, and more fully understand the region’s varied habitats and wildlife.”

Debbie Tann, Acting Chief Executive of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said, “The membership scheme is open to organisations of all sizes. As a charity dedicated to wildlife conservation and environmental education, your membership, costing from just £150, is vital in supporting the Wildlife Trust. We would love to hear from you.”

For more information and to see the range of benefits available to you, please call Trudy Gough on 01489 774400, email her on trudyg@hwt.org.uk or visit our website at www.hwt.org.uk”